Frigid temperatures, snow may have killed three people in B.C.

Three people have died in B.C. so far this month likely because of the extreme cold and snow, the coroners service reports.

A 51-year-old woman living at a homeless camp near a Wal-Mart in Chilliwack died this week.

Glenda Herrling’s tent collapsed because of the snow. Her sister was the one who found her.

Up in the Cariboo, a man in his 50s was found outside in the cold in Anahim Lake, about 130 kilometres east of Bella Coola.

The coroner’s service is still investigating how he died. Possibilities include age, frailty, mobility or impairment.

Finally, a man in his 60s was discovered dead inside a home in a town outside Williams Lake.

“He had a lot of health problems, there was no question, but he was also in a house that was very cold at the time,” said coroner Barb McLintock.

The coroner’s service urges people living in more rural areas to check on elderly neighbours with a call or visit.

Environment Canada has issued arctic outflow warnings for Whistler, Howe Sound, the North Coast, and the Central Coast, with temperatures hovering around -25 and high winds, as well as extreme cold warnings for the Peace River region and Yoho and Kootenay national parks.